Sorry its taken so long to get this out, since I've been working at FedEx at nights I sleep most of the day away and do very little writing, that and my hard drive crashed and no computer for 2 weeks. Not much of this story left either, a few more chapters to go and I'm almost done writing them.
Merry late Christmas everyone and I hope you all enjoy this chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach at all, too bad right? It'd probably be a hentai by now.
Rukia sat in the coach, her hands bound together behind her with a short length of rope. She stared out the window of the coach for a moment as they passed through hills covered in long grass. The window blew softly, making the curtains over the window whip softly with it. The grass outside also moved with the wind, making it look like a sea of green and brown making waves on the hills. The sweet smell of wet corn caught her nose and she closed her eyes, remembering her times hunting dragons.
"Miss Rukia," she looked over at her companion in the coach.
"What do you want Momo?" Rukia snapped and the girl looked at her lap before back at Rukia.
"I just want to ask you to forgive me for this."
"Why should I?"
"Because you took care of me, so now I'm going to do the same," she said softly and Rukia snorted.
"What about Ichigo? Didn't he help you out too?"
"Yes, but Ichigo is part of the old breed. I am part of the new," Momo said and Rukia shook her head.
"What are you talking about Momo?" Momo grinned and held out her hand, a ball of fire appeared floating above it. "You're a Dragon Warrior?"
"Yes," Momo grinned. "You see, I was never Aizen's maid. I was his lover after his mate was killed by your brother," Rukia's eyes widened, her mind going back to the night Hisana was killed.
Byakuya scooted back on the bloody ground and the dragon pinned him down with a foot and stared at him. The dragon opened its mouth and Byakuya saw the glow of fire in the throat. The dragon suddenly screamed and snapped at the soldier who had sliced the leg. Byakuya saw his katana on the ground and grabbed for it, but it was just out of his reach. The dragon looked back at him and roared in his face.
"You had my mate killed!" the dragon shouted in his face, the voice rough.
"Aizen killed my sister. He destroyed my life," Rukia gasped softly and Momo grinned.
"I see you remember. To tell you the truth though I'm surprised," Momo, had a smug look on her face.
"Surprised about what?" Rukia asked.
"The first time you met Aizen, the scar on his face," Momo said slowly and Rukia bowed her head. "That's what your brother did to him."
"So you were sent to spy on Ichigo?"
"Yes of course," Momo said. "And I was to be Aizen's spy from the inside. I would feed Aizen information about Ichigo's army movements and I would give little bits of information to Ichigo to make him trust me."
"You're the one who gave lies to Aizen to have Ichigo arrested?"
"Guilty as charged," Momo laughed and leaned close to Rukia.
"And I loved every minute of it," she said and grinned evilly. "Did I do a good acting job about the beatings? Did you believe my tears?" she pouted and then smiled again. "Of course you did, you're a fucking moron."
"So, to change the subject, you said you were a new breed? What does that mean?" Rukia asked through gritted teeth.
"Oh, yes I suppose I can show you," she held up both hands, one hand had a ball of fire floating over it; the other had a ball of water.
"I can see that you're confused," Momo said triumphantly. "So let me explain to you what this is. I was part of a group of Dragon Warriors who let Lord Aizen experiment on us. He mixed the powers of Mages and Dragon Warriors, and made ten of us. We are the most powerful creatures on Earth, and cannot be killed by anyone," she laughed manically and opened the coach door, vaulting herself out the door and onto the roof, slamming the door with her foot. Rukia sat back against the seat, dumbfounded and scared.
The horses stopped in front of a large stone house, more like a mansion than a house, with large wood doors and glass windows. As the horses stopped a blonde haired woman with green eyes came walking out of the house, nearly running, two men behind her. Nel jumped down from her horse and started running.
"Nel!" her mother ran towards her.
"Mom!" Nel met her mother halfway and they hugged each other.
"Grimmjow," Grimmjow smiled and hugged both of them.
"Mother," he smiled as she kissed both Grimmjow's and Nel's cheeks.
"Oh, I was so worried about you. I got Lord Ichigo's letter but when only his sisters showed up I got so worried," she looked past them and smiled. "Lord Ichigo, so glad to see you again."
"How many times do I have to tell you?" Ichigo asked as he limped up to them, supported by Kenpachi. "Call me Ichigo Ms. Harribel."
"And I've told you to call me Tia," she said and hugged Ichigo lightly. "It's good to see you all."
"It's good to be here," Ichigo said and then sighed. "We have a problem Tia."
"Yes, let's go into the house and talk," she said and motioned for everyone to go into the house. She waited outside, watching the street, until everyone was inside. She motioned for the two men to take the horses before she walked into the house and closed the doors behind her. She walked into the large sitting room where she entertained her guests to find everyone sitting around the couches and chairs.
"I see we have some new faces," Ichigo cleared his throat and nodded.
"I believe you know Kenpachi," Tia and Kenpachi nodded to each other in greeting.
"The dark haired man over there is Byakuya Kuchiki, the previous lord of Seireitei City. The pink haired girl is Yachiru, Kenpachi's Lieutenant."
"It's nice to meet you both, and welcome to my home. It's not much by Dragon Warrior or Prince standards, but I hope it'll be enough," Tia said and bowed to them.
"It'll be fine here ma'am," Yachiru said and bowed from her seat.
"I'm sure it will be okay," Byakuya replied and gave a small bow.
"Who first Tia? You or me?" Ichigo asked and Tia licked her lips before sitting and nodding.
"You first Ichigo, I want to know," Ichigo nodded and leaned back in the chair.
"We lost the war Tia. We only have a handful of men and Captains left. Grimmjow and Yachiru are the only Lieutenants left. We need a place to stay until we can recruit some more men. We would like to live here and hide here as your new workers," Byakuya looked at him sharply.
"Now wait a second, I never said I would do that," he said and Ichigo sighed.
"Shut up Byakuya," Ichigo said and looked at Tia. "What do you need us to do?"
"I have a need for a few seamstresses, Yachiru and Nel will do fine for that. The small farm I have needs a few new hands, if you, Grimmjow, and Byakuya don't mind. The seamstress factory needs a guard, Kenpachi?"
"I will not work as a farmer," Byakuya said roughly and Ichigo sighed as Tia thought.
"Fine, I can use you as a front man. You will be in the store, selling the clothes to people," she said and Byakuya opened his mouth before Ichigo's glare silenced him. He nodded and sat there.
"Now that all this is out of the way, what about my sisters?"
"They have already been sent to the store as models for the girl dresses."
"I assume that we are staying in the servant houses?" Ichigo asked and Tia laughed.
"Absolutely not, you will be staying here in the house," she said and Ichigo bowed.
"I thank you kindly for your hospitality mistress," he said and then stood up; the others followed except for Byakuya who just stood up. Ichigo glared at him which he returned. Ichigo turned on his heel and walked from the room, leaving everyone behind.
"Nel, you and Grimmjow may have your old room. I kept it clean in case you two should ever come and visit," Tia said with a smile and both Nel and Grimmjow gave her a hug. When they stepped back.
"When do we start work?" Nel asked and Tia chuckled.
"Tomorrow morning, I'll let you all get some rest," she said and both of them nodded and bowed before they left. Tia smiled softly and then sat down in her chair, leaning to the side, her right hand holding her head. "Now you know where they will be, just please leave my daughter and her mate alone," she said and a man appeared from the shadows. He had brown hair and a grey fur cloak.
"How long have we known each other?" he asked and Tia shrugged.
"Quite a few years, she said and he nodded to himself.
"You should know me by now Tia, you've known me since Nel left with Grimmjow."
"And even knowing that Grimmjow was a Dragon Warrior and my son-in-law you became one of Tosen's Espada anyway. You joined up with the men who want to kill people like him," she said and glared at him as he came around to kneel down in front of her.
"You know that a Dragon killed my family."
"And that gives you the justice to join Tosen? My son-in-law is a great man, he takes care of Nel, and you are going to sentence him to death because of what he was born Stark?" she growled and Stark stood up, walking over to the fireplace. He stared into it for a while before he opened his mouth.
"I know why you like the Dragon Warriors so much Tia. Ichigo rescued you from a slow death as a poor woman. He gave you standing among the people and you have returned the favor by being kind to the people who used to look down on you. Ichigo and Grimmjow are noble men, kinder than most Dragon Warriors, but you can't forget that when you were a little girl it was an army of Dragon Warriors that killed your family, and one of their mages found you hiding in the hay. You can't forget that he raped you and that's why Nel is a mage as well."
"But I love my daughter with all my heart. She is a part of me, as Grimmjow is a part of her he is also a part of me. Both of those men have taken care of my little girl and me, I can't be so single minded against Dragon Warriors when they have helped me so much. I will always hate them for what they did, but I can't look down on two of the greatest men I've ever known for that."
"So you can look past what that army did to you? You can find the good in people even after that horrible experience?"
"Yes Stark, I can," she said and he smiled to himself.
"How?" he asked as he came to stand behind her chair.
"Because after I learned the truth about who did it I came to just hate him, and forgive everyone else," she said and Stark placed his hands on the chair back.
"Who killed your villiage? Who raped you?" Stark asked and Tia glared at the wall.
"It was Captain Tosen who destroyed my home and Aaroniero who raped me," she said and Stark blinked in surprise.
"Aaroniero? I didn't know that little bitch even had a dick to rape anyone with," he mused and Tia growled.
"I want them both dead, as well as Tosen who wants to destroy my family."
"On my life and honor, and my love for you Tia, no one will find out from me that Nel and Grimmjow are here. He only wants Ichigo anyway," he placed a hand on Tia's shoulder and Tia sighed before she let her head flop back so she could look into his eyes. He leaned down and kissed her lips lightly.
"Stark, please, kill Tosen and end this war so we can all live in peace."
"I can't do that Tia, I'm sorry," he walked towards the door.
"Stark, please. He needs to die," she said and Stark stopped halfway across the floor.
"I know he does, but I have yet to forgive the Dragon Warrior who ordered his men to attack my people and take my village from me."
"Who was it?" Tia asked as she closed her eyes and Stark turned to look at her.
"Ichigo Kurosaki," Tia's eyes shot open in surprise.
"Are you sure?" she asked as she stood up shakily.
"Yes," Stark nodded. "At least that's what Tosen told me."
"Stark," Tia whispered as he walked towards the door.
"As I said Tia, I will not tell anyone that Grimmjow and Nel are here, but Ichigo must be killed."
"I'm sorry Stark, but I can't believe that Ichigo would do that. He's not that kind of person," she said and Stark turned to look at her.
"Should I ask him myself then?" Stark asked and Tia nodded.
"Very well, I will ask Ichigo tomorrow," he said.
"How about you ask me now," Stark's and Tia's eye's widened in surprise. Stark turned to see Ichigo standing there. "What do you need to ask me, Espada?"
"Did you destroy my home village?" Stark asked quietly and Ichigo stepped towards him.
"What village was it?" Ichigo asked and Stark narrowed his eyes.
"Karakura Town."
The coach stopped and Rukia tried to look out the window, but the curtains blocked most vision except for a small crack. She could see a group of people standing outside talking. She sat back against the seat and sighed, flexing her fingers; Momo had come back in and taken the rope from her wrists and brought her a dress to wear. She looked down at the violet colored dress and groaned; the dress was low cut and her breasts were nearly spilling out, her nipples barely covered. The door flew open and the compartment was flooded with light. She squinted her eyes shut as a hand grabbed her arm and dragged her from the coach. She opened her eyes and saw a bunch of people standing around her, staring at her. She looked up and her eyes widened at where she was; standing at the entrance to the palace at Seireitei City.
"Welcome home, Rukia Kuchiki," Tosen said from a few feet in front of her. She glared at him and found him staring at her chest, as were most men.
"You're a pig," she snarled and Tosen chuckled.
"That's no way to treat your new husband," he said and Rukia sneered.
"You're not my husband, I have a mate," she said and Tosen grinned, holding his hand out to her as a man shoved her forward.
"Not for long you won't. You see I have a man getting his location right now," Tosen grabbed her upper arm and lead her towards the palace door.
"You won't find him, your man will be killed," she said and Tosen laughed.
"Ichigo lost the war my dear. His army was crushed and he fled. Just a little bit longer and my man will find him and be back here."
"Lord Tosen?" Tosen stopped and looked back at Momo.
"Yes what is it? I'm trying to get my new mate into the bedroom," Tosen said calmly and Momo shifted her feet.
"Where is Lord Aizen?" she asked and Tosen slowly grinned. He waved his left hand at Momo and a guard grabbed two arms.
"What are you doing?" she choked out and Tosen grinned.
"Aizen is dead," he said and then smiled. "You will be my slave now," he started walking again with Rukia at his side as Momo was dragged along behind them. Momo's eyes widened and she used wind to blow away the two men holding her before she readied two fireballs.
"I will not let you take me! I will not be a slave again!" she screamed and drew her right arm back and the fireballs went out in a puff of smoke. Tosen smiled and lifted his right hand; Momo was flung back and rolled across the ground.
"You have no choice," he said and pointed a finger at her. A bolt of lightning hit her and she screamed in pain and writhed on the ground. There was a small pop and Tosen looked over his shoulder to see Stark standing there. "Ah, you're back."
"I know where Ichigo is staying," Stark said and Tosen grinned.
"No!" Rukia screamed.
"Good, where?"
"Tia Harribel's," he said and Tosen grinned even wider as Rukia's face fell.
"The famous seamstress? Well I've always kinda fancied her. I may go pay them a visit tonight," he turned to Momo and motioned for the guards to pick up her motionless body. "Poor thing was too weak," he said as Momo's broken eyes stared at him, blood running from her mouth. He drew his sword and stepped forwards as Rukia glared at Stark.
"Lord…Aizen…I'm so…sorry," Momo said softly as Tosen raised his sword high with his right hand and brought it down. Momo didn't even scream as the sword cut through her from her left shoulder to her right thigh. The two guards let go of her arms and her body fell forwards, landing face first on the stones, blood pooling around her as her body separated slightly from the sword cut. Tosen turned around and grunted, his eyes going wide as his hands went to his stomach. He looked down and saw guts spilling from a large gash. He turned and saw Stark standing over two dead guards. Tosen saw the sword in his hand and the blood dripping from it.
"What the fuck Stark?" Tosen stumbled back as two men stepped forwards, one putting his arm around Rukia's neck the other drawing a sword and walking towards Stark.
"Explain yourself Stark," the man holding Rukia said as the one with the sword stepped forward.
"I plan to Zommari," Stark said and blocked the sword easily, sidestepping and bringing his own sword down to cut the right arm off his opponent.
"Damn you Stark!" his opponent screamed and raised his left arm, preparing to fire a ball of fire.
"You know you are no match for me, Luppi," Stark said and there was a pop as he disappeared. Luppi fell backwards as Stark appeared behind him. Stark walked slowly towards Tosen, slowly gaining speed as Luppi's body hit the ground, his left arm coming off at the elbow and his torso separated into three sections and from his legs.
"Explain yourself Stark!" Zommari yelled as he threw Rukia away and drew his sword. Stark was at a full sprint now and swung his sword with both hands at Tosen's head. Blood went flying as sword cut through flesh and bone as easy as a knife through butter. Stark took a few more steps and then stood there.
"He's lied to us Zommari, he's lied to us all. He won't keep us around to be his guards. He's going to kill us just like he killed the Dragon Warriors. Take a look around, how many magical beings have we seen around lately? We can't even feel them anymore other than a few remaining Dragon Warriors."
"How do you know he's lying to us?"
"The man I was sent to spy on, Ichigo Kurosaki. I was told that it was Kurosaki who invaded my home and killed my little Lilinette. I was told that it was Kurosaki who destroyed my village, but it wasn't."
"What village was it?" Ichigo asked and Stark narrowed his eyes.
"Karakura town," He watched as Ichigo's eyes widened and then he bowed his head. Stark slowly drew his sword and stepped towards Ichigo. Tia stepped in his way and grabbed his hand.
"Stark stop. It wasn't Ichigo who destroyed your home," she said and Stark glared down at her.
"How do you know?"
"Because I am also from Karakura town. You and I are the only ones left now, both known by different names and faces all those years ago."
"How long have you known?" Stark asked and Tia held his face in her hands softly.
"I miss my little Lilinette too," she said and Starks eyes widened.
"No, it can't be. I saw you dead," Stark said and dropped his sword, holding her face and staring into her eyes.
"She lived Stark. We found her, my soldiers and I. You see, I am to blame for the destruction of Karakura town, though not in the way you think. I was the Dragon Guardian of Karakura town, and the enemy tricked us by attacking with a larger force miles away. Your home was destroyed because I fell for a trap, and I am sorry that I fell for the trap."
"Then who was it who destroyed my home?"
"Tosen," he said and Stark shook his head.
"Tosen isn't over 150 years old," Stark said and snarled. "You're lying!"
"He's a mage, just like Nel. He can live more many years. How do you think he made you? You were in an incubation period for a hundred years and lost your memories. Tia here was healed by our Squad 4 Captain and lost all of her memories. She learned to sew and then gave birth to a little girl, Nel. Many years later Grimmjow was injured and they gave him aid. In return I had Tia given immortality to be with her daughter and son-in-law."
"Swear to me, by the tongue of the Dragon," Stark demanded.
"And he did, he swore to me by the tongue of the Dragon. Tosen has been behind everything for hundreds of years. However much you remember of your life Zommari, you can add 100 years to it and that is your age," Stark said and Zommari watched as Stark's sword slipped from his fingers.
"I'm sorry Tia, forgive me."
"What a stupid man," Tosen said as Stark fell to his knees then flat on his face. Tosen turned, his stomach healed, his clothes not even ripped. Stark's blood pooled beneath him as his eyes stared blankly at the stones under his nose. "And what a waste of effort to turn him. Come Zommari, grab Rukia, we have work to do."
Reviews are welcome please :)